Earlier today a huge rumor about the launch of the Nintendo NX hit the internet, stating that a pilot production of Nintendo’s newest console will go into production later this year, with mass production slated to begin in 2016. According to the rumor, the NX could launch as early as July of next year.

While Nintendo refused to talk about the NX in public at E3 this year, we’re beginning to hear more and more about it as the time approaches. During an investor meeting last week, Satoru Iwata said that Nintendo should not abandon their software efforts with the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U despite the launch of the Nintendo NX. The transcripts were made available online today.

When NX is launched, there already will be a certain volume of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U hardware widely existing in the market, so from a software business perspective, it would be highly inefficient to stop releasing titles for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U right after the launch of NX.

The Wii U was of particular focus at this meeting, as Iwata made a special point to mention that Nintendo should focus on giving the customers who supported the console the best experience they can.

As for Wii U, we will continue to make efforts, as it is a priority within the company to think about how we can satisfy the consumers who purchased this system to the maximum extent possible.

Iwata acknowledged that the Wii U has performed less than favorably for Nintendo since its launch in 2012, but he remains optimistic that the company has learned from the terrible launches of both the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U and will do everything it can to avoid having that happen with the Nintendo NX as well. While the Wii U may be sunsetting, it’s nice to see Nintendo’s president confirm that they’re not dropping support even with the Nintendo NX on the horizon.